Have you given thought as to why the world has suffered
tragedies like 9/11 and recent Earthquakes and Floods.
It is a wake up call from God to repent and return to the
Household of Faith, what better time to do this than in
the Great Fast that is about to start.

Honesty opens my lips. Yes, the truth my mouth recounts.
(Prov. 8:6)

Those who neglect the prayers of the Psalms with
meditation, lose the chance of prayer according
to God's will.
(Heguman Pishoy Kamel)

The path of fasting leads to the path of purity, Fasting is the
cutting off of lust and evil thoughts, purity of prayer. The guarding of the
mind, the door to contrition.
(John Climacus)

Come, let us return to the Lord; for He has torn, but He will
heal us; He has stricken, but He will bind us up.
(Hosea 6:1)

Christ come to the walk of sinners. He was even
born in the same way as sinners. But He did not
stop there, for He did not let the delights of this
world to get hold of Him.
(St. Augustine)

For the ways of the Lord are right: the righteous
walk in them. But transgressors stumble in them.
(Hosea 14:9)

Even though I walk through the darkest valley,
I fear no evil, for Thou art with me.
(Psa. 23:4)

Do not appear to men to be fasting.
(Matt. 6:18)

REFLECTION:

Our love for Truth must be very great. So great
in fact that all our words must possess the
value of oaths.

Father of all Truth, teach us to revere the Truth,
in our lives. Let us avoid falsehood in any form.
(St. Paulinus)

SYNAXARION:

Hosea the prophet, He prophesied of the Passion of
Our Lord and His rising again. He also foretold the
negation of the authority of death over us.

HOMILY:

Freedom:

And ye shall know the Truth, and the Truth shall make you free. (John 8:32)

The connection between truth and freedom is important. Truth never leads to bondage. The whole idea is perplexing to the Pharisees, who are not in the least convinced that they need freedom. In spite of the heavy yokes imposed on others by their casuistry. They never conceived of it as bondage.

Piqued at the idea of bondage, which their pride could not bear, they declare themselves to be free and never to have been in bondage to anyone. They forget the whole of Israel was in bondage to the Power of Pagan Rome.

But Our Lord points out another type of bondage. He showed that those who commit sin are slaves of sin and are in bondage of another sort. Only the Son of God has the Power to set these people free from their bondage of sin.

He cannot force people to accept the Truth, but when they do, they see the conviction of their sins and seek God's forgiveness. Then they are indeed set free from their bondage or enslavement to sin. They are set free morally before God.

But mankind has not learnt its lesson and needs to be shaken up with a wakeup call, but how many will heed that call?

To Thee be glory and praise, now and ever, and unto Ages of Ages. AMEN!

Today's Readings:

Morning: Psalm 119:57-58; Matt. 5:25-37.
Liturgy: Rom. 12:1-21; James 1:1-12; Acts 21:27-39;
Psalm 5:1-2; Gospel Matt. 5: 38-48.

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